Autumn 1 - Zest

[avaricesims]

 Zest - Autumn 1

 

First of all, Peaches has impeccable autumn style. Just wanted to mention that. However, we drop in on her and Johnny perhaps experiencing some trouble in paradise...



Yes, that's definitely an argument they're having. Peaches wanted to go hiking with Johnny in Mt. Komerabi because she loves the outdoors, but also because she needed to have a conversation with him.
"John has agreed to Axel coming to stay for a few days. He arrives this afternoon. Okay?"
"Wait...why are you only telling me this now?"
Peaches hung her head. "I've been pleading with John to let me have visitation for weeks. He finally agreed this morning, but on the condition Axel arrives today. I think he's still getting back at me."



"Well, that's a shitty game to play, Peaches."
"Yes, I know. But what choice do I have? I can't lose this opportunity to see my son."



 "Fine. Let's go yell at a cave to make ourselves feel better."



"I'm ready to pick him up, John. Yes, the short notice is fine. I've got him a bed and some clothes, everything he needs. Thanks!"



And with that, Johnny and Peaches prepare to host a toddler for nearly half of their rotation. This should be fun! Poor Axel looks less than sure about even a temporary relocation to the city, but Peaches is determined to make sure he's happy here. She might not have been awarded official custody, but if John will let him stay with her sometimes, that's better than nothing.



Johnny might not be totally sure about a toddler in his apartment, but he's happy enough to meet Axel and start to get to know him. Maybe should have done this before his girlfriend/the child's mother moved in to his apartment, but better late than never.



Peaches then settles happily into being an apartment parent and spending time with her son. It was really quite sweet, seeing how happy it made her.



Even when Axel redecorated the hallway.



One of the superfluous wardrobes was removed, giving enough space for a sweet little toddler bed in the corner of Peaches and Johnny's bedroom.



Peaches even got to practice being a protective parent, and yelled at her neighbours so her little boy could get some sleep.



All in all, having a toddler in the apartment seemed to be working out pretty well. Johnny was still able to work on his routines, and Axel seemed to have what he needed to be happy, including Peaches' famous French toast.



Still, you probably can't blame the guy for needing some time out. Meeting up with Lilith at the fancy gym in Oasis Springs made for a much-needed afternoon away from step-parent life.



The gym turned out to be a bustling social event, too, with Johnny meeting and introducing himself to both Knox and Lou Howell, Catarina Lynx's fiancé and Angela Pleasant's boyfriend, respectively.



Johnny and Lilith followed up their gym session with burgers, giving them a chance to properly catch up.
"I can't believe you have a kid now!"
"Well, he's not my kid, as such. He's cool though, I don't mind hanging out with him. Are you still with your professor?"
"If by with you mean having kinky sex every few nights, sure."

Johnny isn't the only one out socialising. Peaches took Axel out in the city to meet her friend Penny Pizazz and get dinner from the street food stalls. Axel soon grew tired and overstimulated, though, and she had to wave goodbye to her friend and get him back to the apartment.




She didn't really mind. She was still basking in the joy of having her kid back, even if only for a short visit.



She did want Johnny to be more involved, though.
"Love, there's a community center I want to take Axel to. They have a play area for toddlers. I think there's a gym and stuff for adults too. It'd mean a lot if you came with me...if we went as a family?"



Johnny was happy enough to acquiesce, and was even happier when he found a performing space upstairs. Lou was there again - it seems he hangs out exclusively in werewolf form these days.



Peaches read Axel a story...





Then managed to get a workout in herself while Axel napped.



Back home, this outing appeared to have given Johnny some confidence, and he helped out with putting Axel to bed while Peaches made dinner. Johnny might not be so bad at this stepdad thing!



Peaches was certainly pleasantly surprised, and happy to spend some more intimate time with Johnny once Axel was asleep.



The next morning it was time to drop Axel back home to John in Willow Creek. Unfortunately, things were no better despite a very successful visit, so Peaches was forced to leave without confirming anything more permanent or ongoing for Axel. Even though money wasn't really the issue in Axel's custody, she was heading right to her new part-time retail job, which she'd gotten because she was bored at home when Johnny was working, and because she wanted to prove to John that she was responsible and not intending to live off Johnny's fame and wealth. He wasn't interested in hearing it, though.



After her shift, Peaches was glad to go back to Willow Creek, next door to John in fact, as Eliza had invited her over to cheer her up.



They enjoyed cake (made by Bob, who was the better cook in the house) and talked about their children. Adrienne, Eliza's daughter, was only a little younger than Axel.



It helped a little, as did Bob reassuring her as she left that he often saw John and Axel playing outside, so whatever else was happening, her son appeared to be happy.





Peaches was still finding this part of her decision to leave John very hard, though.



To cheer her up, Johnny takes her around to visit the Pleasant sisters. He's now really close with Lilith, so he wanted to get to know Angela better and for Peaches to know them both. Peaches and Angela hit it off immediately.



Johnny and Lilith might get along more naturally, but he still enjoyed asking Angela endless questions about her werewolf boyfriend, who he keeps bumping into around town.
"Does he stay in that shape when...you know?"
"None of your business! But yes."

 

On the way home, Johnny gets to have his seasonal argument with at least one of his parents. This time it's Nancy yelling at him in the street and receiving a completely hilarious and very disrespectful mimicking of her snooty accent in return, which will definitely end up in Johnny's next comedy routine.



Peaches and Johnny then enjoy a quiet Harvestfest at home together, just the two of them. Peaches would have liked to celebrate with Axel, of course, but this is nice too.



Johnny rounds out his autumn by taking Peaches to Tartosa for a brief visit. Not for any particular reason...but perhaps to have a think about future-type things? They wander around the wedding venue and admire the beautiful decor and the romantic vibe of the seaside town.



"What do you say, Peaches? Wanna get married?"
"Johnny, are you serious?"
"Well, sure? Why not?"
And with that incredibly romantic proposal, it appears Johnny and Peaches are engaged! It might have been a typically non-serious Johnny style way of making it happen, and I don't know how quickly they'll actually get married, but Johnny seems to be settling enough into the whole step-parenting thing to at least entertain the idea.



And that brings us to the end of autumn for Johnny and Peaches. It was an interesting season for these two, with Peaches managing to spend some time with her son, Johnny being asked to step up to the plate and get to know Axel, and plenty of spending time with friends and enjoying their city lifestyle.